The First English Actresses Women and Drama, 16601700 [Paperback]

This book describes how and why women were permitted to act on the public stage after 1660 in England.There were no professional actresses on the English stage before the Restoration of Charles II and female roles were almost always played by men. This book describes how and why women were permitted to act on the public stage after 1660, as well as the consequences.There were no professional actresses on the English stage before the Restoration of Charles II and female roles were almost always played by men. This book describes how and why women were permitted to act on the public stage after 1660, as well as the consequences.Before the Restoration of Charles II there were no professional actresses on the English stage, and female roles had almost always been played by men. This book describes how and why women were permitted to act on the public stage after 1660, and the consequences of their arrival. Elizabeth Howe opens up a fascinating subject to nonspecialists. Beginning with a general account of the workings of Restoration theater, she explains the treatment received by the actresses and how their sexuality was exploited. The book addresses questions that are relevant to women's issues in every period: how far did the advent of women players alter dramatic portrayals of women? Did this encourage more or less equality between the sexes? Although in one sense merely playthings for a small male elite, the pioneering actresses also represent a new female voice in society and a new place in discourse.Illustrations; A note on styling, dates and editions used; Preface; Introduction; 1. The arrival of the actress; 2. Sex and violence: the exploitation of the actress in Restoration drama; 3. The actress, the dramatist and comedy; 4. Life overwhelming fiction: how actresses' own personalities affected their roles; 5. Elizabeth Barry and the development of Restoration tragedy; 6. The actress as dramatic prostitute/mistress; 7. The angel and the she-devil and their iml��